Tennis Anyone?

Yesterday I gave myself a challenge…to get out and play tennis. A friend of mine just started playing and asked me if I played. (lol) I’m laughing because I haven’t picked up a tennis racket since high school. When I was a child my father really wanted to me to get serious about the game. He brought me a racket, a cool jacket and cutie little tennis outfits. He took me to the Volvo Tournament a few times to watch the matches and even made me take tennis lessons. I was pretty good and liked it in the beginning. But I grew up around a bunch of guys. So I was a tomboy at heart. All I wanted to play was football, basketball, baseball and kickball. Those little cutie outfits and me didn’t bond at all. Just give me a pair of jeans and a t shirt and I was cool. So on one hot day Connecticut day in July, I stood on the tennis court burning from the sun and said, “It’s too hot, I don’t want to do this anymore.” My dad was crushed. But I never thought about it again.

Then in high school we had to take tennis. (DANG) I suffered throught it. Hitting the ball back and forth to get through the class with a passing grade. Needless to say, I passed.

So let fast forward ten twenty something years…and I’m on the other end of phone saying yes. I’ll play tennis with you. If my father could here me, he probably would have passed out laughing. So I show up at the tennis court ready to take a third shoot at playing tennis. I can do this, I was a decent player back in the way day. lol

This time I’m feeling good about the situation because as I drive up to the tennis courts the feeling is different. I’m hype because  this can be the start of something great plus it’s a good workout. (a sista really need to lose like 15 pounds) Plus, it’s beautiful out side….and did I mention…HOT. (you already know how I feel about the heat) The only tennis I’ve played thus far is Wii Tennis with a controller in an air conditioned house. (This doesn’t consitute as playing tennis does it)  My friend and I greeted each other, both of use with a desire to have fun and learn the game. So we grabbed four tennis balls and headed to the court. So we start serving the ball…no so good. We attempt to volley the ball back and forth…no so good…again. All we could do is laugh at our lack of game but passion to play. So we go at it for an hour. If cameras were rolling you would have gotten a good laugh. And my Dad would have been proud and embarrassed at the same time.

Now, which in unbelievable, I want to start playing for real. No seriously. I’m not going to be the next Serena or Venus Williams (sorry daddy) but I would like to up my game skill set. So I’m researching lessons and plan on hitting the court again with my friend really soon. I’m even getting my husband involved so we can play together.

I think everyone should have some type of physical activity they enjoy. There are tennis courts in parks all over our county that are calling our name. Use them, get a friend or your children and a few rackets and have some fun while getting in shape. I’m sure, whether you hit the ball or not, you will have a good time. I know I am!

Tags: Karen Today, karen vaughn, karen vaughn tennis

Category: Karen Today